Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch to host Press Conferences to Discuss U.S. Election Assistance Commission Grants to Support Student Service in Upcoming Elections

WESTERN Montana - Secretary of State Linda McCulloch will formally announce Salish Kootenai College President Joe McDonald’s and University of Montana President George Dennison’s plans to support college student involvement in the administration of elections in Montana at separate press conferences on Thursday, June 11.

On Monday, McDonald and Dennison eagerly accepted McCulloch's challenge to encourage organizations to apply for one of the grants made available by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to recruit and train college students to serve as election poll workers. Public and private institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations in the state of Montana can apply for the grants, which range from $20,000 up to $75,000.

"Poll workers help secure successful elections, and it's important to engage young adults in the process. Our democracy depends on active citizens, and I look forward to working with President McDonald, President Dennison, their students, and local elections offices on this project," says McCulloch.

"Our election officials make certain that our democracy remains consistent with its promise of fair elections with access for all," Dennison says. "At The University of Montana, we strive to educate students about this process and provide them with the appropriate resources and opportunities."

"We are pleased to host a press conference dealing with civic engagement and the importance of people voting," President McDonald says.† "It is wonderful that Secretary of State Linda McCulloch is taking the lead in getting out the vote."

Funding for the grants stems from the HAVA College Poll Worker Program, which aims to encourage students to serve as nonpartisan poll workers or poll assistants and to encourage state and local governments to utilize the services made available by students participating in the program.